After being eliminated in the group stage of the last two World Cup tournaments, Germany was looking for revenge. Instead, the football giant's World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16 last night.
"We had very high hopes for this World Cup. It's very hard to disappoint people again. It was difficult to create chances and keep up the pace," said Germany's top scorer Kai Havertz after the match.
Paraguay got Germany exactly where they wanted in the first half in Foxborough, Mass. After a fine attack, Julio Enciso headed the opener past Manuel Neuer.
Reprieve for Germany
A pressured German national team came out for the second half with a different attitude - and then came the equalizer. Florian Wirtz, a clubmate of Swede Alexander Isak at Liverpool since last summer, provided a sweeping cross that Kai Havertz met and headed into the net to make it 1-1.
Germany went for a winning goal, but Paraguay managed to take the game to extra time. Once there, German centre-back Jonathan Tah thought he had given his team the lead, but the goal was ruled out for a free kick after Waldemar Anton pushed Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
“Thank goodness”
The match was ultimately decided on penalties. Paraguay, after several missed penalties from both teams, was able to advance.
"We obviously analyzed every player and every detail of the penalty takers. Thankfully I managed to save two penalties," says Paraguay goalkeeper Gill.
Paraguay will now face the winner between Sweden and France in the round of 16.
